Sonesta Select / Sonesta Essential vs City Express by Marriott
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Sonesta Select / Sonesta Essential and City Express by Marriott are lodging franchises. Sonesta Select / Sonesta Essential requires an investment of $1.9M – $5.2M while City Express by Marriott requires $2.8M – $4.9M. Neither Sonesta Select / Sonesta Essential nor City Express by Marriott makes a financial performance representation in Item 19 of its FDD — a voluntary item under the FTC Franchise Rule — so the two cannot be compared on disclosed unit revenue. FranchiseVerdict rates Sonesta Select / Sonesta Essential B (Above average) and City Express by Marriott B (Above average).
| Metric | Sonesta Select / Sonesta Essential | City Express by Marriott |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | BAbove average | BAbove average |
| Investment Range | $1.9M – $5.2M | $2.8M – $4.9M |
| Franchise Fee | $45K | $75K |
| Royalty Rate | 5.0% | 5.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | N/ANo Item 19 representation | N/ANo Item 19 representation |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | Limited data | N/A |
| Total Units | 61 | 11 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | +2 units | +10 units |
| Year Began Franchising | 2021 | 2024 |
| FDD Year | 2024 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$1.9M – $5.2M
$2.8M – $4.9M
Franchise Fee
$45K
$75K
Royalty Rate
5.0%
5.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
N/ANo Item 19 representation
N/ANo Item 19 representation
SBA Charge-Off Rate
Limited data
N/A
Total Units
61
11
Unit Growth (YoY)
+2 units
+10 units
Year Began Franchising
2021
2024
FDD Year
2024
2026